Amanda Antell  |  November 25, 2015

Category: Legal News

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Due to the numerous concerns popping up over the popular type-2 diabetes drug Onglyza, doctors are now debating if the risks of this drug outweigh its benefits.

Even with the FDA agreeing that stronger warnings need to be applied to Onglyza’s warning label, some experts are questioning how effective this may be.

Additionally, the same critics also question how useful studies recently conducted, such as the SAVOR trial, are and if money would be more effective in improving care for type-2 diabetes patients.

Onglyza was approved by the FDA in 2009 to be another treatment option for patients with type-2 diabetes. Onglyza is part of the incretin-mimetic drug family, which works by signaling the pancreas to make insulin.

Ever since its release, Onglyza has become a very popular choice amongst patients and doctors alike. However, with the recent concerns surrounding heart failure and other severe complications, doctors are becoming increasingly reluctant to prescribe Onglyza.

Overview of Onglyza Heart Failure Complications

In April, an FDA advisory panel had voted to have Onglyza’s warning label updated to include potential heart failure, after reviewing the results of the SAVOR trial mentioned previously. In this study, researchers found that patients who had been prescribed Onglyza had a 27 percent higher likelihood of being hospitalized for heart failure. Additionally, the FDA required Onglyza’s manufacturer, AstraZeneca, to perform additional studies to adequately determine the risk probability of Onglyza heart failure.

However, French cardiologist Dr. Gabriel Steg stated that this is not enough and believes that money should be put towards bettering the treatment conditions of diabetic patients. Dr. Steg not only reviewed the SAVOR trial, but had also commented on several other studies at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2015 Congress, noting that over 150,000 patients had participated in diabetes medications trials, to observe the occurrence rate of side effects.

Dr. Steg pondered if the money should be sent to more pressing matters like diabetic care, rather than frivolous scientific studies. Other experts agree, such as Dr. Jaako Tuomilehto from the University of Helsinki, Finland, stating that these studies were a waste of resources that could be used to explore additional options for diabetic patients.

Despite the recent criticism, there are just as many experts who advocate for these inquiries, insisting that it is important to understand the drug safety aspect. Essentially, supporters state that these studies are necessary to determine if these drugs are not only helpful to the patients, but if the drugs also worsen their condition. The advocates also point out that patients who are prescribed newer diabetes medications, like Onglyza, may especially need these studies, in case they are at higher risk for cardiac complications.

At this point, it is hard to determine what the best course of action is when determining how to best use medical resources for diabetic treatment research. While both sides have valid points, it does not better the situation of millions of patients who are already suffering from type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, it is also too late for patients who have already suffered Onglyza heart failure or other such complications.

In general, Onglyza lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual Onglyza lawsuit or Ongylyza class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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If you or a loved one were injured from Onglyza side effects such as heart failure, thyroid cancer or pancreatic cancer, you may have a legal claim. See if you qualify to pursue compensation and join a free Onglyza lawsuit investigation by submitting your information for a free case evaluation.

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